News

Contact: Mark Rasmussen (312) 988-2301 mrasmussen@thegbi.org

LOCAL HOME BUILDERS LAUNCH NEW GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM
Aims to Build More Energy-Efficient and Environmentally-Friendly Homes in Washington

YAKIMA, Wash. (March 14, 2008) – The Central Washington Home Builders Association (HBA) unveiled a new voluntary residential green building program called the Central Washington Built Green Association at today's Central Washington Home and Garden Show. This new program—partnered with the Green Building Initiative™ and Built Green®—is designed to help bring more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes to Washington by providing a baseline for practical green building methods and training resources for local builders.

"Until recently, green building has remained the domain of a relatively small number of niche builders," said Carly Faul, executive officer of the Central Washington HBA. "We are proud to introduce Central Washington Built Green Association. This comprehensive green building program will help more Washington homeowners appreciate the numerous benefits of green built homes."

BENEFITS OF GREEN HOMES
Green building in residential construction offers many advantages beyond just improved environmental performance. Owners of green homes reap various benefits, including utility savings, improved indoor air quality and less overall maintenance. Not surprisingly, green homes also have less negative impact on the environment by saving energy and reducing waste, particularly during construction.

"Because a typical 2,000 square foot home generates four tons of waste material during construction, the practice of green building aims to use renewable resources and to recycle excess job-site materials whenever possible," said Faul. "When you also factor in improved indoor air quality and reduced environment impact, you really begin to see the true value of a green home."

COMMON GREEN BUILDING BEST PRACTICES
Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, the Central Washington Built Green Association's green building guidelines are based on fundamental green building principles including:

Minimize Solar Heat Gain

• Position the structure so the longest walls and most of the windows face north and south
• Position infrequently used rooms, such as storage spaces and service areas, on the west side to act as buffers from the sun

Maximize Natural Light and Ventilation

• Ensure that most rooms have windows on two walls
• Position windows for cross ventilation

Create a Cool Shell

• Consider light colored surfaces for walls and roofing
• Choose metal, concrete or wood roofing, which absorb less heat than asphalt shingles

Ensure Efficient Heating and Cooling

• Install a programmable thermostat
• Install ceiling fans in major rooms

Use Efficient Appliances and Lights

• Use Energy Star rated appliances
• Install task lighting to reduce the need to light whole rooms

Choose "Green" Materials

• Consider renewable and sustainable lumber for framing, doors and flooring
• Consider materials with recycled content (i.e. fly ash, slag, carpet, insulation, siding, roofing, flooring, counter tops, outdoor decking)
• Use non-chemical, bio-based cleaning products

For more information on the Central Washington Built Green Association, visit www.cwhba.org or call Carly Faul at the Central Washington HBA (509) 454-4006.

For more information about the Green Building Initiative, visit www.thegbi.org.